Are the people receiving a share of the profit for exploiting the resource as part owners of the resource, or simply being paid for labor by those who have bought control of the resource?

There have been a few initiatives to take some of the money from the oil boom out here to help people in North Dakota, but there are some things they are doing in the legislature about that. Might be similar to Alaska with the dividends, some might go to higher education. Still waiting for that.

There have been a few initiatives to take some of the money from the oil boom out here to help people in North Dakota, but there are some things they are doing in the legislature about that. Might be similar to Alaska with the dividends, some might go to higher education. Still waiting for that.

Sounds good. I'm not an advocate for out-and-out socialism simply because, human nature being what it is, there are some who would sit around on their asses doing nothing. You have to have a way to kick them out. Of course, there are plenty o rich punks just sitting around on their asses, or in their Lamborghinis, doing nothing too.

You don't want to live in a feudal society where only the insiders get the privileges, but you don't want to reward the lazy asses. There's got to be some balance. We just haven't figured it out yet.

I think there is some contingency plan where the funds will go to the Bank of North Dakota (basically a socialized bank) where students in ND can get access to loans and money to help afford higher education, without having to go get private or federal loans. I think it is to keep retention of our youth in the state, since so many leave after graduating school.

I think a small, modest stipend to all residents for the oil revenue would be fair. Doesn't have to be super high, but there should be. People in the area who are allowing their land to be drilled are getting money, but the cost of living out West in some areas has doubled or tripled. For the people who lived there, but aren't getting those royalties -- there has been a struggle. My friend has a book on some of these things, "Interstate Immigrants" that will be published soon that talks about people coming to ND for the oil boom and a variety of other economic reasons. Great stuff. I'll keep ya in da loop.